Coil unreeling apparatus



May 9, 1950 E. J. LIGLER 2,506,880

COIL UNREELING APPARATUS Filed July 15, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1 5

INVENTOR. Edward J. Ligler l7 Attorneys y 1950 E. J. LIGLER 2,506,880

COIL UNREELING APPARATUS Filed July 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. Edward J. Ligler BY M,0MMM

M y 1950 E. J. LIGLER 2,506,880

COIL UNREELING APPARATUS Filed July 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 uvmvrmzEdward 'J. Ligler BY M ,Ofium MM Attorneys Patented May 9, 1950 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE COIL UNREELING APPARATUS Edward J. Ligler, Bolton,111., assignor to Acme Steel isompany, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of IApplication July 15, 1947, Serial No. 761,066

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to coil unreeling apparatus and moreparticularly to such apparatus provided with two coil supporting reelsthat may be moved selectively from individual loading positions to acommon working position in which the material in the supported coil maybe unreeled.

In the manufacture of metal strip, band or the like, pickling baths,annealing furnaces, plating tanks and other devices are usually suppliedwith a plurality of ribbons of material from a corresponding pluralityof coils respectively supported by coil unreeling apparatus, materialstorage mechanisms, providing one or more take-up loops, being arrangedbetween the coil unreeling apparatus and the device being supplied withthe material therefrom. In the usual arrangement when any coil ofmaterial is exhausted the associated coil unreeling apparatus isstopped; a full coil of material is placed upon the corresponding coilunreeling apparatus; the beginning of the material on the full coil issecured to the end of the material on the exhausted coil; and operationof the coil unreeling apparatus is again started. During the timeinterval that a coil unreeling apparatus is stopped for the purposedescribed above, the associated material storage mechanism supplies thestored material to the device mentioned; thereby avoiding stoppage ofthe device during this time interval. Since the above steps must becompleted during the time interval mentioned to avoid stoppage of thedevice being supplied with material, manipulation of the coils withrespect to the associated coil unreeling apparatus must proceed at arapid pace, which cannot always be maintained; whereby stoppage of thedevice being supplied with material from the coil unreeling apparatus isthen necessary. Not only is this stoppage time objectionable from thestandpoint that the device during this time is not performing its usefulfunction, but stopping the device for a protracted time interval mayalter its operating characteristic, thereby injuriously afiecting thequality of the process or step being carried out in the device afteroperation thereof is resumed.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the pres= ent invention toprovide coil unreeling apparatus that is especially adapted for use inconnection with a device of the type described, which is supplied withstrip material therefrom, whereby stoppage time of the device isminimized and stoppage of the device for protracted time intervals isavoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide Another object of theinvention is to provide in coil unreeling apparatus of the type noted,an improved arrangement for adjusting the tension of the material beingunreeled from a supported coil when the associated reel occupies theworking position.

Another object of the invention is to provide in coil unreelingapparatus of the type noted, an improved arrangement for removablyclamping in place a coil of material upon the associated reel when itoccupies its loading position.

A further object of the invention is to provide in coil unreelingapparatus of the type noted, an improved arrangement for selectivelycontrolling and coordinating movements of the individual reels between acommon working position and individual loading positions.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the elements of the coil unreeling apparatus, whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sideelevational view, partly broken away, of coil unreeling apparatusembodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatusshown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the frameincorporated in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a greatlyenlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the reels incorporated inthe apparatus, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-6in Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is an electric diagram of the circuit forcontrolling the electric drive motor incorporated in the apparatus shownin Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, of thedrawings, the coil unreeling apparatus ill there illustrated, andembodying the features of the present invention, comprises a verticallyextending support or base I! carrying a substantially C-shaped bracketI2 secured thereto and provided with upwardly and outwardly extendingspaced apart arms l3 and M. The arms l3 and ill have ali ned openingsformed therein into which an operating shaft I5 is suitably journaled,theoperating shaft I5 being disposed at an angle of approximately 45with respect to the horizontal plane. Also the base removably supports areduction gear box I5 carrying an electric motor |1.. Preferably thegear box I5 is of the worm gear, speed reduction type, including adriven worm, not shown, connected to the shaft of the electric motor I1and a drive shaft I8 carrying a small gear I9 rigidly secured thereto,the gear I9 being arranged to mesh with a larger gear 20 carried by theoperating shaft I5 and rigidly secured thereto. 7

A frame 2| provided with a tubular barrel 22 is rigidly secured to theoperating shaft I5 and inclined at an angle of approximately 45 withrespect to the horizontal plane. Also the frame 2| comprises twooutwardly extending arms 23 and 24 disposed at an angle of substantially90 with respect to each other; whereby the arm 23 occupies asubstantially vertical position when the arm 24 occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position. The outer extremities of the arms 23 and 24,respectively, carry two substantially annular flanges 25 and 26 betweenwhich a stiffening element 21 extends, the opposite ends of thestiffening element 21 being welded or otherwise rigidly secured to theflanges 25 and 26 and also to the adjacent ends of the arms 23 and 24.Also it is preferable that the inner ends of the arms 23 and 24 arewelded to the adjacent surfaces of the barrel 22 and to the respectiveflanges 25 and 26 thereby to lend extreme rigidity to the frame 2|.

A flange 28 carrying a trunnion 29 is removably secured to the flange 25by a plurality of radially disposed screws 30; and a flange 3| carryinga trunnion 32 is removably secured to the flange 26 by a plurality ofradially disposed screws, not shown. The trunnions 32 and 29,respectively, carry two rotatably mounted coil supporting reels 40 and50.

Preferably the reels 40 and 50 are identical, the reel 50 comprising asbest shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, an annular drum-like body portion 5|provided with a substantially centrally disposed integral tubular hub 52and an outwardly projecting integral annular flange 53. The centralportions of the hub 52 and the flange 53 terminate -in a boss 54provided with four radially spaced apart and longitudinally projectingguide fingers 55 formed integrally therewith. The hub 52 is alsoprovided with a longitudinally extending bore 56 that receives andcarries a sleeve bearing 51, that in turn engages the outer cylindricalsurface of the trunnion 29. The central portion of the boss 54 comprisesa web 58 covering the upper end of the trunnion 29 and having acentrally disposed bore 59 formed therein, that in turn is surrounded byan upper counterbore 60. The reel 50 as a unit is mounted on the upperend of the trunnion 29 and is'secured in place by a fixture includingtwo annular collars 6| and 62 respectively arranged within the bore 59and the counterbore 60 formed in the web 58 of the boss 54. The fixtureis provided with a centrally disposed opening through which the shank ofa screw 63 extends, the head of the screw 63 engaging the collar 62 andthe shank of the screw 63 being received in a threaded opening formed inthe end of the trunnion 29. The extreme upper end of the sleeve bearing51 engages the lower surface of the web 58 in order to provide a thrustbearing carrying a portion of the weight of the reel 50; and a thrustcollar 64 is arranged between the lower end of the hub 52 and theadjacent 4 flange 26 in order to carry the principal weight of the reel50.

The flange 53 supports a disc-like base 65 surrounding the boss 54,which base 55 carries four radially extending coil engaging sleepers 56angularly spaced approximately 90 with respect to each other. Preferablythe base 65 and the sleepers 66 are rigidly secured together and to theflange 53 and to the guide fingers 55 by welding or the like. The uppersurface of the boss 54 carries two substantially diametrically opposedangle brackets 61, each provided with a base 68 secured to the boss 54by a number of screws 69. Also the brackets 61 are provided with twoupstanding arms 10 having diametrically aligned openings 1| formedtherein into which a spindle 12 is journaled. The outer ends of thespindle 12 terminate in oppositely threaded shanks 13 which receive twointernally threaded fixtures 14, the outer ends of which have rigidlysecured thereto two substantially arcuate shaped plates 15. Each of theplates 15 is disposed immediately above an adjacent two of the sleepers66 and is adapted to ride thereover and into two notches 16 formed in anadjacent two of the guide fingers 55. Thus it will be understood thatwhen the spindle 12 is rotated in one direction the fixtures 14 areretracted on the shank 13 moving the plates 15 radially inwardly intothe notches 16 formed in the guide fingers 55. On the other hand, whenthe spindle 16 is rotated in the opposite direction the fixtures 14 areprojected radially outwardly moving the plates 15 out of the notches 16formed in the guide fingers 55 along the sleepers 66.

Also a cap 11 provided with a centrally dis- Dosed hub 18 and a base 19is secured to the boss 54 by an arrangement including a plurality ofscrews extending through openings formed in the base 19 and threadedinto openings formed in the bases 68 of the angle brackets 61. The hub18 is connected to the base 19 by two diametrically disposed webs 8|formed integrally therewith in order to lend rigidity to the cap 11. Acentrally disposed and longitudinally extended bore 82 is formed in thehub 18 substantially coincident with the axis of the trunnion 29, andcarries a spindle 83 journaled therein. The upper end of the spindle 83terminates in a substantially square shank 84 adapted to receive awrench or the like for the purpose of rotating the spindle 83; while thelower end of the spindle 83 carries a relatively small bevel gear 85rigidly secured thereto, which in turn meshes with a bevel gear 86rigidly secured to the spindle 12. Thus it will be understood that whena wrench is placed upon the shank 84 and turned, the spindle 83 isrotated in order to effect rotation of the spindle 12 by virtue of themeshed relation between the bevel gears 85 and 86.

Further the apparatus I0 comprises two braking mechanisms 90 and I00,respectively associated with the reels 40 and 50; which mechanisms 90and I00 are preferably identical. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thebraking mechanism I00 associated with the reel 50 comprises a brake band|0| cooperating with the drumlike body portion 5| of the reel 50, oneend of the brake band IOI being secured to a fixture I02 that is carriedby a plate I02a, which in turn is secured to the lower surface of theflange 25. The other end of the brake band I0| carries a pintle I03 towhich a threaded element I04 is hinged. The threaded outer end of the 1element I04 projects through an opening formed in a tab I05 carried bythe fixture I02 and receives a tightening nut I08 of the wing variety.Thus it will be understood that when the tightening nut I06 is rotatedin one direction, it engages the tab I05, drawing the element I04therethrough; whereby the brake band ||l| is moved into snug engagementwith the cylindrical outer drum-like surface of the body portion 6| ofthe reel 50 in order to increase the amount of friction therebetween,which in turn increases the amount of drag upon the reel 50 andconsequently the tension in the strip of material being unreeledtherefrom. On the other hand, when the tightening nut IDS is rotated inthe opposite direction the amount of friction between the brake band NHand the cylindrical outer surface of the drum-like body portion SI ofthe reel I is decreased, reducing the drag upon the reel 58 andconsequently the tension in the strip of material being unreeledtherefrom.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the frame 2|comprises first and second normal positions; when the frame 2| occupiesa first of its normal positions, the arm 23 is disposed substantiallyvertically and the arm 24 is disposed substantially horizontally; andwhen the frame 2| occupies a second of its normal positions, the arm 24is disposed substantially vertically and the arm 23 is disposedsubstantially horizontally. In order to insure these first and secondnormal positions of the frame 2| two sets of adjustable screws, nowshown, may be provided that cooperate respectively between the oppositesides of the arm I! of the bracket l2 and the respective arms 24 and 23,as it will be understood that the arm 24 substantially engages theadjacent surface of the arm I3 when the arm 23 is disposed in thevertical direction and that the arm 23 substantially engages theadjacent surface of the arm I3 when the arm 24 is disposed in thevertical direction. When the frame 2| occupies its first position thearm 23 is disposed in the vertical direction, .whereby the trunnion 29is also disposed inthe vertical position, and consequently the reel 5|)is disposed in its working position; also at this time the arm 24 isdisposed in the horizontal direction, whereby the trunnion 32 is alsodisposed in the horizontal position, and consequently the reel 40 isdisposed in its loading position. On the other hand, when the frame 2|occupies its second position, the arm 24 is disposed in the verticaldirection, whereby the trunnion 32 is also disposed in the verticalposition, and consequently the reel 40 is disposed in its workingposition; also at this time the arm 23 is disposed in the horizontaldirection, whereby the trunnion 29 is also disposed in the horizontalposition, and consequently the reel 50 is disposed in its loadingposition. Moreover, it will be understood that the working positions ofthe reels 50 and 4d are substantially coincident and common, while theloading positions thereof are disposed substantially 90 with respect toeach other in the horizontal plane.

When the frame 2| occupies its first position, illustrated in Fig. i, itmay be assumed that the reel 50 in the common working position supportsa substantially full coil of material that is being drawn therefrom andthat the reel 40 in its loading position is empty. At this time thebraking mechanism lllli has been adjusted in order to set the drag onthe reel 50 in order to establish the desired tension in the strip ofmaterial being unreeled from the supported coil. Also, at this 6 time acoil may be loaded upon the reel 44 in its loading position withoutinterfering with operation of the reel 50 in the common workingposition. Subsequently, when the coil of material supported by the reellill becomes exhausted, the motor I! is operated; whereby the frame 2|is driven from its first position into its second position, moving theloaded reel 40 from its loading position into the common workingposition and moving the empty reel 50 from the common working positioninto its loading position. When the frame 2| is moved from its firstposition into its second position, operation of the motor Ill isarrested. Now the braking mechanism 38 is adjusted in order to set thedrag on the reel M in the common working position and the consequenttension in the material being unreeled therefrom. and the empty reel ISOin its loading position may be reloaded. More particularly a wrench isbrought into engagement with the shank 84 and turned in order to rotatethe spindle 83 in the proper direction to effect rotation of the spindle12 to cause the plates I5 to be retracted. A full coil of material isthen placed upon the reel 50, the edges thereof engaging the sleepers 66and the interior turns disposed about the central opening thereinengaging the plates 15. Then the wrench is turned in the oppositedirection, whereby rotation of the spindle 83 is transmitted to thespindle 12 in order to cause the plates 15 to be projected intoengagement with the interior turns of the coil of material in ordersecurely to clamp it in place. Subsequently when the coil of materialcarried by the reel 40 is exhausted the motor may be again operated inorder to move the frame 2| from its second-position back into its firstposition, whereby the reel ill again occupies the common workingposition and the reel 40 again occupies its loading position, whereuponthe above described operations are repeated.

In view of the foregoing it will be understood that either one of thereels 40 or 50 may be loaded while the other of the reels 50 or 40 issupplying strip from the supported coil to the associated deviceswithout interference. Accordingly-when it is necessary again to stopoperation of the associated device being supplied with strip materialfrom the apparatus Hi, the stoppage time interval is reduced to aminimum and the overall stoppage time is greatly minimized.

In view of the foregoing description of the mode of operation of theapparatus Hi, it will be appreciated that in order to move the frame 2|into its first position, the shaft of the motor I? must be rotated in afirst direction and that in order to move the frame 2| into its secondposition, the shaft of the motor ll must be rotated in the oppositedirection; whereby the motor I7 must be of the reversible type andoperation thereof must be coordinated with respect to the position ofthe frame 2| when operation thereof is initiated. In order to accomplishthis end the motor starting and control network illustrated in Fig.

5 is employed, which arrangement comprises, in

addition to the motor i'l, two relays iii; and M6, a right start switch639, a left start switch Md, a stop switch 650, a left check switchifid, a right cheek switch m, a source of current sup-= ply, not shown,and a control network, Preferably the motor ili is of the two-windingtype; whereby a first one of the windings may be energized from negativebattery potential to ground or positive battery potential in order toefiect operation thereof and consequent rotation of the drive shaftthereof toward the right or in a clockwise direction, and a second ofthe windings may be energized from negative battery potential to groundor positive battery potential in order to effect operation thereof andconsequently rotation of the drive shaft thereof toward the left or in acounterclockwise direction. For convenience, the first and secondpositions of the frame 2| are respectively referred to as right andleft. The check switches I60 and I10 may be mounted either upon thestructure of the apparatus I or upon external structure, not shown; andby way of illustration these check switches are shown mounted upon thebracket I2. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the right cheekswitch I is suitably mounted upon the front face of the bracket I2 andin cooperating relation with the arm 24 of the frame 2 I, and the leftcheck switch I60 is suitably mounted upon the rear face of the bracketI2 and in cooperating relation with the arm 23 of the frame 2 I.

Accordingly, when the frame 2| occupies its first or right position, asillustrated in Fig. 1, and it is desirable to move it to its second orleft position, the left start switch H0 is momentarily closed, When theleft start switch I40 is thus closed, there is completed a circuit,including the closed stop switch I50, the closed contacts 2 of the relay0 and the closed left check switch I60, for energizing the winding ofthe relay I20. whereby the latter relay operates to close its contactsI2| and I23 and to open its contacts I22. At its contacts |2|, the relayI20 completes a substantially identical stick circuit for energizing thewinding thereof; and at its contacts I22, it interrupts a further pointin the operating circuit for the relay H0 in order positively to preventoperation of the latter relay at this time under the control of theassociated right start switch I30. When the frame 2| is driven by themotor I1 from its first position into its second position the arm 23 ismoved into substantial engagement with the adjacent surface of the armI3, whereby the left cheek switch I60 is opened, interrupting the stickcircuit for energizil'lg the winding of the relay I20, whereupon thelatter relay restores. While the relay I20 occupies its operatedposition, there is completed, at the contacts I23 thereof, an obviouscircuit for energizing the second winding of the motor I1, whereby themotor I1 is operated to drive the frame 2| from its first or rightposition into its second or left position. When the frame 2| is movedinto its second or left position the left cheek switch I60 is opened asnoted above in order to arrest further operation of the motor I1. Duringmovement of the frame 2| from its first or right position to its secondor left position, operation of the motor |1 may be arrested when thereels 40 and 50 occupy intermediate locations with respect to the commonworking position and their loading positions merely by openingmomentarily the stop switch I50. When the stop switch I50 is thusopened, the stick circuit for energizing the winding of the relay I20 isinterrupted, causing the latter relay to restore, thereby to interrupt,at its contacts I23, the circuit for energizing the second winding ofthe motor I1.

Also it will be appreciated that when the frame 2| occupies its first orright position, the arm 24 occupies a position in substantial engagementwith the adjacent surface of the arm I3, whereby the right cheek switchI10 is opened. When the right cheek switch I10 is open, closing theright start switch I30 to control the relay II. is without effect, sincethe operating circuit for the relay I I0 is interrupted by the openright switch I10, whereby it is impossible to energize the first windingof the motor I1 in order to at tempt further rotation of the frame 2|past its first or right position. Subsequently, when operation of themotor I1 is initiated to drive the frame 2| from its first or rightposition toward its second or left position, the arm 24 is moved awayfrom the adjacent surface of the arm I3, whereby the right cheek switchI10 is closed in order to prepare the circuit for operating the relay 0.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that by momentarilyclosing the right start switch I30, when the frame 2| occupies itssecond or left position, the relay I I0 may be operated in order toeffect energization of the first winding of the motor I1, whereby theframe 2| is moved from its second or left position back to its first orright position.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been providedcoil unreeling apparatus including an improved drive arrangement andcontrol system therefor whereby the two reels of the apparatus may beselectively moved between a common working position and individualloading positions.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover inthe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of sad reels being substantially coincident, anddrive means for moving said frame between said first and secondpositions.

2. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident,first and second clamping mechanisms respectively carried by said firstand second reels, each of said clamping mechanisms being adapted-toreceive and removable to clamp in place the interior turns of a coilsupported by the associated one of said reels, thereby to facilitateloading of each one of said reels when it occupies its loading position,and drive means for moving said frame between said first and secondpositions.

3. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arrangedthat said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident,first and second braking mechanisms carried by said frame andrespectively cooperating with said first and second reels, each of saidbraking mechanisms being adapted to control the tension of the materialin a coil supported by and being unreeled from the associated one ofsaid reels when it occupies its working position, and drive means formoving said frame between said first and second positions.

4. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident,first and second clamping mechanisms respectively carried by said firstand second reels, each of said clamping mechanisms being adapted toreceive and removable to clamp in place the interior turns of a coilsupported by the associated one of said reels, thereby to facilitateloading of each one of said reels when it occupies its loading position,first and second braking mechanisms carried by said frame andrespectively cooperating with said first and second reels, each of saidbraking mechanisms being adapted to control the tension of the materialin a coil supported by and being unreeled from the associated one ofsaid reels when its occupies its working position, and drive means formoving said frame between said first and second positions.

5. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that the axis of said first reel occupies asubstantially vertical working position and the axis of said second reeloccupies a substantially horizontal loading position when said frameoccupies said first position and that the axis of said second reeloccupies a substantially vertical working position and the axis of saidfirst reel occupies a substantially horizontal loading position whensaid frame occupies said second position, said working positions of saidreels being substantially coincident and said loading positions of saidreels being displaced from each other by a relatively large angle in thehorizontal plane, and drive means for moving said frame between saidfirst and second positions.

6. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second angularly disposed trunnions carried by saidframe, first and second coil-supporting reels respectively rotatablymounted on said first and second trunnions, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first trunnion and consequently saidfirst reel occupies a substantially vertical position and said secondtrunnion and consequently said second reel'occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second trunnion and consequently said second reel occupies asubstantially vertical position and said first trunnion and consequentlysaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident, anddrive means for moving said frame between said first and secondpositions.

'7. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a bearing elementcarried by said support, a frame mounted on said bearing element fortilting movement between first and second limit positions, first andsecond angularly disposed trunnions carried by said frame, first andsecond coil-supporting reels respectively rotatably mounted on saidfirst and second trunnions, said frame being so constructed and arrangedthat said first trunnion and consequently said first reel occupies asubstantially vertical position and said second trunnion andconsequently said second reel occupies a substantially horizontalposition when said frame occupies said first limit position and thatsaid second trunnion and consequently said second reel occupies asubstantially vertical position and said first trunnion and consequentlysaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second limit position, one of said positions of eachof said reels constituting a working position thereof and the other ofsaid positions of each of said reels constituting a loading positionthereof, said working positions of said reels being substantiallycoincident, and drive means for tilting said frame between said firstand second limit positions.

8. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a substantially vertical support,a bearing element carried by said support and mounted at an angle ofsubstantially 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, a framemounted on said bearing element for tilting movement between first andsecond limit positions, first and second trunnions carried by said frameand disposed at an angle of substantially 90 with respect to each other,said frame being so constructed and arranged that said first trunnionoccupies a substantially vertical position and said second trunnionoccupies a substantially horizontal position when said frame occupiessaid first limit position and that said second trunnion occupies asubstantially vertical position and said first trunnion occupies asubstantially horizontal position when said frame occupies said secondlimit position, said vertical positions of said trunnions beingsubstantially coincident, first and second coilsupporting reelsrespectively rotatably mounted on said first and second trunnions,whereby said reels have substantially coincident working positions aswell as loading positions displaced from each other by an angle ofsubstantially 90 in the horizontal plane, and drive means for tiltingsaid frame between said first and said second limit positions.

9. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident, anelectric motor carried by said support and operatively connected to saidframe, and means for selectively controlled operation of said electricmotor todrive said frame from either one of said positions to the other.

10. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coilsupporting reels carried bysaid frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said workin positions of said reels being substantially coincident,drive means operatively connected to said frame, means for selectivelycontrolling operation of said drive means to move said frame towardeither one of said positions, and means for arresting at will operationof said drive means, whereby said reels may be moved to locations inter-12 mediate said working and loading positions thereof.

11. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and second limitpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position. one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident,drive means operatively connected to said frame, means for selectivelyinitiating operation of said drive means to move said frame towardeither one of said limit positions, and means responsive to movement ofsaid frame into either one of said limit positions for arrestinoperation of said drive means.

12. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and second limitpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies asubstantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said workin positions of said reels being substantially coincident,drive means operatively connected to said frame, means for selectivelyinitiating operation of said drive means to move said frame towardeither one of said limit positions, means for arresting at wil1operation of said drive means, whereby said reels may be moved tolocations intermediate said working and loading positions thereof, andmeans responsive to movement of said frame into either one of said limitpositions for arresting operation of said drive means.

13. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and second limitpositions, first and .second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel 00- cupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a working position thereof and the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident,drive means operatively connected to said frame, means controllable whensaid frame occupies either one of said limit positions for initiatingoperation of said drive means to move said frame toward the other ofsaid limit positions, and means responsive to movement of said frameinto said other limit position for arresting operation of said drivemeans.

14. Coil unreeling apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and secondpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first position andthat said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second position, one of said positions of each ofsaid reels constituting a workin position thereof andv the other of saidpositions of each of said reels constituting a loading position thereof,said working positions of said reels being substantially coincident,drive means operatively connecte'dto said frame, first and secondstarters selectively controllable to initiate operation of said drivemeans to move said frame toward its respective positions, meansresponsive to control of one of said starters for preventing control ofthe other of said starters, and means for arresting at will operation ofsaid drive means, whereby said reels may be moved to locationsintermediate said working and loading positions thereof.

15. Coil unreeiing apparatus comprising a support, a frame carried bysaid support and mounted for movement between first and second limitpositions, first and second spaced-apart coil-supporting reels carriedby said frame and mounted for independent rotation, said frame being soconstructed and arranged that said first reel occupies a substantiallyvertical position and said second reel occupies a substantiallyhorizontal position when said frame occupies said first limit positionand that said second reel occupies a substantially vertical position andsaid first reel occupies a substantially horizontal position when saidframe occupies said second limit position, one of said positions of eachof said reels constitutin a working position thereof and the other ofsaid positions of each of said reels constituting a loading positionthereof, said working positions of said reels being substantiallycoincident, drive means operatively connected to said frame, first andsecond starters selectively controllable to initiate operation of saiddrive means to move said frame toward said respective limit positions,means responsive to control of one of said starters for preventingcontrol of the other of said starters, and means responsive to movementof said frame into either one of said limit positions for arrestingoperation of said drive means.

EDWARD J. LIGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,881,019 McFarland Oct. 4, 19322,263,889 Rose Nov. 25, 1941 2,321,646 Blodgett June 15, 1943 2,391,321,Littell Dec. 18, 1945 2,403,147 Westergaard July 2, 1946

